Combination end of tape sensor and tape guide device

ABSTRACT

A combination end of tape sensor and tape guide device includes a first electrode mounted on the tape deck portion of a cartridge tape player and is grounded therethrough. The first electrode includes a pair of outwardly extending parallel arms for receiving a magnetic recording tape therebetween for guiding the tape past an adjacent magnetic tape head. A second electrode is coupled to the first electrode with an insulative layer provided therebetween. The second electrode is connected through the solenoid of a tape head indexing assembly to a positive potential. Simultaneous contact of the electrodes by an end of track metal strip on the recording tape completes a circuit therebetween to activate the tape head indexing assembly of the player for repositioning the magnetic tape head with respect to the recording tape.

United States Patent [111 3,869,725

Dattilo Mar. 4, 1975 COMBINATION END OF TAPE SENSOR Primaryl;'.\'uminer-Terrell W. Fears AND TAPE GUIDE DEVICE AssistantE.\'zlminerR0bert S. Tupper [75] Inventor: Donald J. Dattilo, MountProspect, g Agem or FlmhwDonald LSa; Vmcem auner [73] Assignee:Motorola, Inc., Chicago, lll.

[57] ABSTRACT [22] F1led: Sept. 17, 1973 A combination end of tapesensor and tape guide de- [zll Appl' 3981l7 vice includes a firstelectrode mounted on the tape deck portion of a cartridge tape playerand is 53 us (3 u 3 0 130 360/106 360/137 grounded therethrough. Thefirst electrode includes a 51 m (1b 15 (3| 21/08 pair of outwardlyextending parallel arms for receiv- Field f Search 179/100; 5 100.2 inga magnetic recording tape therebetween for guid- 360/137 130 ing thetape past an adjacent magnetic tape head. A

. second electrode is coupled to the first electrode with [5 ReferencesCi an insulative layer provided therebetween. The second UNITED STATESPATENTS electrode is connected through the solenoid of a tape headindexing assembly to a positive potential. Simul- 3x33? g f f taneouscontact of the electrodes by an end of track metal strip on therecording tape completes a circuit FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONStherebetween to activate the tape head indexing as- 16344 12/1968 Japan360/130 sembly of the player for repositioning the magnetic tape headwith respect to the recording tape.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures END OF TAPE SENSOR AND TAPE GUIDE DEVICEBACKGROUND This invention relates generally tocartridge type tapeplayers and more particularly to the tape guide and end of track sensorfound therein.

Conventionally, there is provided in a cartridge type tape player, anend of tape sensor comprised of a pair of electrodes between which issandwiched an insulative member. One of the sensor electrodes isconnected to ground or negative potential and the other to a positivepotential. The sensor is mounted in communication with the cartridgereceiving cavity of the player for engagement at the free ends of theelectrodes with a recording tape which is driven through a tapecartridge COMBINATION inserted into the cavity. The sensor actuates thesolenoid of a magnetic tape head indexing assembly in the player uponbeing contacted at both electrodes by a piece of metallic foil providedon the tape and located at the end of the multiple tape tracks thereon.The indexing assembly in turn repositions the tape head with respect tothe tape tracks.

Also included in the player is a tape guide member which is normallylocated adjacent the magnetic tape head. The tape guide includes a pairof outwardly extending arms between which the recording tape driventhrough the tape cartridge passes. The guide ensures the alignment ofthe moving tape with the magnetic pick-ups of the magnetic tape headduring playback of information recorded on the tape.

To provide both the end of tape sensor and tape guide in the playerrequires fabricating both devices individually and mounting themseparately in the player at proper locations. This increases the cost ofthe player. Furthermore, having both the devices mounted in the playerrequires space which could otherwise be used for other importantpurposes. In addition, by employing a separate end of tape sensor andtape guide, considerable friction is applied against the moving tapewhich may cause premature tape wear, slippage and capstan shaft wear.

SUMMARY vention to provide in a cartridge tape player the necessary endof tape sensor and tape guide functions while overcoming the drawbacksassociated with prior artdevices.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide in a cartridgetape player a new and improved device which accomplishes the end of tapesensing and tape guide functions, but which requires a relatively smallamount of space in the player, is relatively simple in construction andis less expensive, both to fabricate and assemble, than the prior artseparate end of tape sensor'and tape guide devices.

Briefly, a preferred embodiment of a combination end of tape sensor andtape guide device according to the invention comprises a first electrodemounted on the base wall of a cartridge tape player housing with one endthereof extending into the cavity into which a cartridge is inserted forplayback. The electrode is aligned with an aperture in the front wall ofa cartridge received in the cavity and passes therethr'ough into thecartridge for engagement with the magnetic recording tape therein. Thefirst electrode is elongated and in- Accordingly, it is a primary objectof the present in- 4 cludes two parallel arms spaced from each other apredetermined distance to permit the tape to travel therebetween forguiding the tape past the magnetic pickups of a magnetic tape headmounted adjacent the electrode. A second electrode is attached to thefirst electrode, but is electrically insulated therefrom by aninsulative spacer. The second electrode is shorter in length than thefirst electrode. The free end of the second electrode is also incontacting engagement with the tape passing through the cartridge. Eachof the electrodes is at a different electrical potential. When ametallic foil section marking the end of the tape tracks passes theelectrodes in simultaneous contacting relation therewith, a circuit iscompleted for actuating a tape head indexing solenoid for repositioningthe tape head with respect to the tape tracks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tape deck portion of a cartridgetape player shown receiving a tape cartridge and including a combinationtape guide and end of tape sensor device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top, plan view of the tape deck of FIG. 1 shown with thetape cartridge in a fully inserted position therein;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the combination tapeguide and end of tape sensor device according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connection of thecombination tape guide and end of tape sensor for operating the tapehead indexing solenoid according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing in greater detailwherein like numerals are employed throughout the various views todesignate similar components, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a tape deckportion 10 of a cartridge type tape player. The tape deck portionincludes the usual base wall 12 upon which there is mounted a U-shapedmember 14 which, with the base wall, forms a cartridge receiving tunnel16 wherein a multi-track tape cartridge 18 of the conventional type isreceived for playing back information recorded on the magnetic tape 20provided therein. The tape, as shown in FIG. 2, passes through thecartridge 18 along a path parallel to the front wall 22 of thecartridge. The tape is guided by guide pins such as 24, 26 and apressure or guide roller 28 mounted within the cartridge as shown inFIG. 2.

Mounted also on the base wall 12 of the tape deck portion 10 of theplayer is a tape drive capstan assembly 30 (FIG. 1). The last-mentionedassembly includes a capstan bearing housing 32 and a capstan drive shaft34 mounted in the housing. A flywheel (not shown) is mounted on thecapstan drive shaft and is driven by a belt and motor assembly (notshown) to rotate the capstan in the direction indicated by the arrow fordriving the tape 20 through cartridge 18 upon inserting the cartridgeinto the tape deck portion with the pressure roller 28 and capstan indriving engagement.

Adjacent the capstan drive assembly there is provided a magnetic tapehead 34 and tape head indexing assembly 36. In the particular embodimentshown, the

tape head 34 is mounted in a first bracket 38 which is coupled viapivotally mounted arm arrangement 40 to a second stationary bracket 42.A spring 44 extending between the brackets biases the tape head upwardlytoward a rotatable indexing'cam wheel 46 mounted adjacent the tape headbracket 38 on an upstanding shaft 48. The cam wheel 46 has a pluralityof cam surfaces thereon which when engaged with a cam follower pin 50extending from bracket 38, moves the tape head to various positions withrespect to the tape tracks or channels on the magnetic recording tape inthe cartridge. A solenoid driven pawl and ratchet arrangement 52 rotatesthe cam wheel 46 to position different ones of the cam surfaces intoengagement with the cam follower pin 50 to index the tape head properly.

Adjacent the tape head 34 on the side thereof opposite the capstan driveassembly 30 there is provided a preferred embodiment of a combinationtape guide and end of tape sensor device 54 according to the invention.t

The device 54 includes a first electrode 56 which is elongated in thedirection of an incoming cartridge in the tape deck portion and has atone end thereof a pair of outwardly extending parallel arms 58, 60spaced from each other predeterminedly to permit the magnetic recordingtapein the cartridge to pass therebetween with the surface of the tapefacing toward the portion 6 2 of the electrode extending between thearms 58, 60. The electrode 56 is L-shaped having a base portion 64 formounting the electrode on the base wall 12 of the tape deck portion. Themounting of the electrode is accomplished by riveting or screwing thebase portion 64 to base wall 12, (See FIG. 1).

A second electrode 66 is attached to the first electrode in parallelalignment therewith. The end 68 is generally aligned with the portion 62of the first electrode so that both portion 62 and end 68 will be incontacting relation with the surface of tape 20 when cartridge 18 isinserted into the player and the tape is being driven therethrough.Portion 62 and end 68 may be curved and smooth to avoid damage to thetape as the latter passes over the electrodes. A tab connector 69 isformed integrally with electrode 66 and extends outwardly therefrom atthe end thereof opposite end 68. The tab permits making an electricalconnection to electrode 66 through a wire lead such as 74. An insulator70 is positioned between the electrodes 56, 66 to prevent the latterfrom contacting each other. Suitable bonding material may be used tomaintain the electrodes and insulator in a fixed relation as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The electrical connections of the combination tape guide and sensordevice 54 according to the invention are illustrated in FIG. 4. Thefirst electrode 56 of the device is connected to ground potentialpreferably through the tape deck base wall 12. The other electrode 66 isconnected via wire 74 (FIG. 2) to the solenoid coil 76 of the tape headindexing assembly 52. The solenoid is in turn connected through a switch78 to a power source 80.

In operation, when a tape cartridge 18 is inserted into the tunnel oftape deck portion 10 of the player in a fully inserted position, capstandrive shaft 33 engages pressure roller 28 through an opening 82 in thefront wall 22 of cartridge 18 for driving the magnetic recording tape 20therebetween, through the cartridge. Also, tape head 34 and thecombination tape guide and end of tape sensor device 54 enter thecartridge through a second opening 84 in wall 22. Upon entering thecartridge, tape head 34 engages the exposed surface of the tape and thetape is received between the parallel arms 58, of electrode 56 of thedevice 54. The arms 58, 60 hold the tape in position for travel along apredetermined path to ensure proper alignment of the tape with the tapehead. The surface of tape 20 is likewise engaged by the end 68 of thesecond electrode 66 and portion 62 of electrode 56 of the device 54.

When switch 78 is closed, either by the insertion of cartridge 18 intothe player or in some cases by manual operation, B+ is provided to oneside of solenoid 76 of the tape head indexing assembly as shown in thecircuit of FIG. 4, and to the tape drive motor (not shown) via anothercircuit (not shown), to drive the capstan 33 rotatably as shown.

Conventionally, at one area along the tape surface there is provided ametal foil or the like section 86 (See FIG. 4) which indicates the endof the tape tracks on the tape. Upon the latter section simultaneouslyengaging electrodes 56, 66 of the device 54, a circuit to solenoid 76 iscompleted and the solenoid is energized to rotate cam wheel 46 forindexing the tape head 34 with respect to the tape tracks or channelsthereof. Once the foil section passes the electrodes of device 54, thesolenoid is released.

The combination tape guide and end of tape sensor device 54 according tothe invention-provides a simple, easy to fabricate means for guiding amagnetic recording tape traveling through a tape cartridge, intoalignment with a tape head positioned adjacent thereto as well as toserve as an end of tape sensor for operating the tape head indexingassembly of the player. The device is simple in construction, low costand takes little space within the tape player, thus making it possibleto have additional space for other needs therein.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it should be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto since many modifications may be made. It is thereforecontemplated to cover by the present application any and all suchmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the appendedclaims:

I Claim:

1. In a cartridge tape player including a tape deck portion forming acartridge receiving cavity wherein a tape cartridge is received forplayback including a multi-track tape mounted therein for movementthrough the cartridge, said tape having a predetermined currentconducting area indicating the end of said tape tracks, a magnetic tapehead mounted in communication with said cartridge receiving cavity forengagement with the tape provided in a cartridge received in the cavity,tape head indexing means for positioning said tape head with respect tothe various tracks on said tape and circuit means for operating saidtape head indexing means, a combination end of tape sensor and tapeguide mounted on said tape player in communication with said cartridgereceiving cavity adjacent said tape tridge between said arms to guidesaid tape past said tape head in alignment therewith, said supportingportion between said arms comprising the area of electrical contactbetween said first electrode and said current conducting tape area, asecond electrode mechanically mounted to said first electrode and havingan end portion and a major surface portion located within a plane allpoints of which are in a spaced relation to the first plane, said endportion being generally aligned with said supporting portion of saidfirst electrode so that both said end portion and said supportingportion will be in contacting relation with the surface of said tapewhen said cartridge is fully inserted into said player and said tape isbeing driven therethrough, and insulating means provided between saidfirst and second electrodes for electrically insulating the respectiveelectrodes from one another as well as maintaining the electrodes insaid spaced relation, said first and second electrodes being connectedto said circuit means for actuation thereof upon simultaneouslycontacting said predetermined current conducting tape area forrepositioning said tape head with respect to said tape.

2. A combination end of tape sensor and tape guide as claimed in claim Iwherein said first electrode includes a base portion, said base portionbeing fastened to said tape deck portion, wherein said first electrodeis grounded through said tape deck portion and wherein said secondelectrode is connected through said circuit means to a positivepotential.

3. A combination end of tape sensor and tape guide as claimed in claim 2wherein said insulating means is bonded to said first and secondelectrodes.

1. In a cartridge tape player including a tape deck portion forming acartridge receiving cavity wherein a tape cartridge is received forplayback including a multi-track tape mounted therein for movementthrough the cartridge, said tape having a predetermined currentconducting area indicating the end of said tape tracks, a magnetic tapehead mounted in communication with said cartridge receiving cavity forengagement with the tape provided in a cartridge received in the cavity,tape head indexing means for positioning said tape head with respect tothe various tracks on said tape and circuit means for operating saidtape head indexing means, a combination end of tape sensor and tapeguide mounted on said tape player in communication with said cartridgereceiving cavity adjacent said tape head for contacting engagement withthe tape provided in a cartridge received in said cavity, including incombination: a first electrode mounted in said tape player and having amajor surface portion in a first plane, said major surface portionincluding a pair of parallel arms extending outward toward said tapecartridge, said arms spaced from each other predeterminedly andconnected by a supporting portion to permit said tape to passtherebetween for engaging the tape in said cartridge between said armsto guide said tape past said tape head in alignment therewith, saidsupporting portion between said arms comprising the area of electricalcontact between said first electrode and said current conducting tapearea, a second electrode mechanically mounted to said first electrodeand having an end portion and a major surface portion located within aplane all points of which are in a spaced relation to the first plane,said end portion being generally aligned with said supporting portion ofsaid first electrode so that both said end portion and said supportingportion will be in contacting relation with the surface of said tapewhen said cartridge is fully inserted into said player and said tape isbeing driven therethrough, and insulating means provided between saidfirst and second electrodes for electrically insulating the respectiveelectrodes from one another as well as maintaining the electrodes insaid spaced relation, said first and second electrodes being connectedto said circuit means for actuation thereof upon simultaneouslycontacting said predetermined current conducting tape area forrepositioning said tape head with respect to said tape.
 2. A combinationend of tape sensor and tape guide as claimed in claim 1 wherein saIdfirst electrode includes a base portion, said base portion beingfastened to said tape deck portion, wherein said first electrode isgrounded through said tape deck portion and wherein said secondelectrode is connected through said circuit means to a positivepotential.
 3. A combination end of tape sensor and tape guide as claimedin claim 2 wherein said insulating means is bonded to said first andsecond electrodes.